When we quote someone, we call him as a witness of our own experience, knowledge (e.g., I saw a giraffe. You do not trust me? Look and Ivan testifies that giraffes exist – he also saw; or: I ate an apple – so I testify that it exists, if you do not trust me – ask Ivan, he also ate an apple, and his testimony is true (our experiences coincide) – ask him, let him tell you how tasty it is). Therefore, if some “theologian” dogmatically claims that someone will never be saved, then he, without realizing it (I do not know at all what he realizes?), says: I know by experience (or analogously, which implies resurrection from the dead – deification, which so far does not smell in the malicious, proud “theologian”) that there is a being (whether angel or human – it does not matter) who is in absolute evil and, that God cannot save (again this knowledge-understanding implies deification of the knower (at a minimum! Although this is the maximum for created beings… To become God, to be God, to say something definitive: what God can and cannot do?!). So, there can be no dogmatic statements whether “everyone will be saved” or “someone will never be saved”, and if someone asserts such dogmas, know – these are fantasies, fantasies, fantasies, at best wishes (we are talking about proper spiritual life and as its fruit – universal hope for the salvation of all!), but by no means assertions!
And you will say: but there are “theologians” (now you understand why I take this word in such a context in quotes) who claim that someone will perish (and, of course, all “truths” confirm with quotes a host of witnesses who confirm the truthfulness of their “experience”-fantasy and say: “according to Scripture” so and not otherwise…). We can ponder, from which sinful (often demonic) mental state such sad, bitter fruits are born. Let’s note that since Scripture is “verbal icon of Jesus Christ” (by the way, the name of God is also an icon), then the key to understanding Scripture is prayer (at least correct ascetic prayer, which in time by the grace of God turns into grace—more about prayer below). (By the way, let’s mention otherwise: we talked (Part I) that Scripture is written by the Church for the Church, indeed, an icon for Christians is an icon, and for pagans – it is a picture, Christians pray before an icon, and pagans study styles, paints, materials… Icons are written by the Church for the Church, not for pagans…). So, to understand-know the Tradition (life in the Holy Spirit) and various forms-icons that point to the Truth, can only be those who pray correctly (who pray correctly – that is a theologian… – see Part I). And those who do not try to live (I do not even say: live; a theologian is one who prays, not one who tries to pray… but where to find such now?! To pray is martyrdom, it is to shed blood… It is easier to fantasize than to pray; “theologize” about prayer, rather than to pray!?) proper spiritual life (which involves proper ascetic prayer, zealous observance of Old Testament commandments and the New Testament – communion of the Eucharist and struggle with passions – “old” man in us), and “theologizes”, undertakes to explain, interpret Scripture – a sad sight. And such “theologians” (blind blinds, or what is worse dead) with self-confidence (egoism “off the scale”) enter into discussions and even to hatred defend their fantasies (including “dogma”: not everyone will be saved). The sign of proper spiritual life (see below) – truthfulness, ascetic humility, knowledge of the truth about oneself and one’s state: “God, cleanse me a sinner, for I have never done anything good before You…”. Proper spiritual life contains, as an integral part, the mystery of repentance and confession: as a plea for mercy (and not for justice and fairness! Not that it would be for me: “according to my deeds”, “myself guilty”…) for oneself; not condemnation of others, but on the contrary – sympathy and compassion; seeing ONE’S sins, wounds, mutilations; condemning ONESELF to hell, not others (see Part I and below)… So, I will ask such a fantasizer- “theologian”: do not pray (and do not learn, at least, ascetically), burn in passions (pride, self-praise, self-aggrandizement…), and what are you talking about, what is your experience of God (unless of the devil: “your (Jews, who said that their father Father-God – V.A.) father devil” – see Part I) do you confirm, quoting the text of Scripture (that is identical: and it is depicted on the Icon… On the Icon!?)…
You humbly, listening to every word of mine and trying to understand the essence, spirit, wait for when I finally shut up and you finally bring up thousands of arguments that refute what I said. Please, I am listening to you attentively (my email address is at the end of the book – of course, if I am still in this form of existence). But before all let’s agree on the following thing (about the order of discussion): since I started talking first, you should first refute, deny my arguments, and then present yours. Otherwise, discussions often boil down to an exchange of arguments, but not at all to their analysis: whether it is really as the opponent says?! Instead, we discuss: the argument is not denied, not refuted, and even for oneself no conclusions are drawn, immediately moving on to other arguments, which will have the same fate… This is a sign of IDLE TALK, spirit of pride, controversy, but by no means humility and search for truth! Such people are not interested in truth – the main thing is to defend their opinion (often fantasy), at all costs to prove their rightness…